IBM Research, Sutter Health Collaborate to Train Research Models That Could Be Used for Identifying Heart Failure Earlier

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ARMONK, N.Y.
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15 May 2017:
A team of scientists at IBM (NYSE: IBM) Research, in collaboration with scientists from Sutter Health, recently completed research developing methods to help predict heart failure based on hidden clues in Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Over the last three years, using the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) like natural language processing, machine learning and big data analytics, the team trained models to help predict heart failure.

Today, doctors will typically document signs and symptoms of heart failure in the patient record and also order diagnostic tests that help indicate the possibility that a person may experience heart failure. Despite best efforts, a patient is usually diagnosed with heart failure after an acute event that involves a hospitalization where the disease has advanced with possibly irreversible and progressive organ damage.

The research uncovered important insights about the practical tradeoffs and types of data needed to train models, and developed possible new application methods that could allow future models to be more easily adopted by medical professionals. For example, the research showed that only six of the 28 original risk factors contained within the Framingham Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms (FHFSS2) were consistently found to be predictors of a future diagnosis of heart failure.

In addition, other team findings showed that other data types routinely collected in EHRs (such as disease diagnoses, medication prescriptions and lab tests) when combined with FHFSS could be helpful predictors of a patient's onset of heart failure.

All three parties will continue to collaborate to improve accuracy, clinical relevance and to test models for use in clinical care. In addition, the work may have potential application to other diseases. The confluence of the availability of big data and advances in cognitive computing could have dramatic advances in earlier disease detection.

About IBM Research

For more than seven decades, IBM Research has defined the future of information technology with more than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents. Scientists from IBM Research have produced six Nobel Laureates, a U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, 10 U.S. National Medals of Technology, five U.S. National Medals of Science, six Turing Awards, 19 inductees in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and 20 inductees into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame. For more information about IBM Research, visit www.ibm.com/research.

About Sutter Health

Sutter Health was named one of the nation's top five large health systems in 2016 thanks to its integrated network of physician, employee and volunteer pioneers - more than 60,000 people strong. Rooted in Sutter Health's not-for-profit mission, these team members partner to deliver exceptional care that feels personal. From physician offices to hospitals to outpatient care centers and home services, they proudly support and learn from the more than 3 million people in their care - nearly 1 percent of the U.S. population, in one of the most diverse and innovative regions in the world. Sutter pioneers adopt new technologies, make novel discoveries and embrace creative thinking to help patients and communities achieve their best health. From its street nurse program that provides check-ups for homeless people, to telemedicine-aided specialist consultations, to walk-in care clinics, to smart glass technology, the Sutter Health team goes beyond traditional models to make care more convenient and to nurture and empower people throughout their medical journey.